DaySailer.org Forum

"What is really nice about it is that the fuel tank is built in to the motor."

I thought everyone had a built-in gas tank ..........

My family used a British Seagull on our DS1 back in the early 70's. Although, I have nostalgic feelings for the old motor, in truth it was a real pain in the butt. Starting with a 10:1 gas/oil mix, a carb float prone to sticking, a tendency to leak fuel from the carb when tilted up and when the float would stick are just the beginning of the problems I'd prefer not to have today. Also our model did not have a clutch, or a reverse gear, did not rotate 360 deg., and the only way to quickly kill the motor was to flip the choke on and cover the carb Venturi with the palm of your hand. It was fun, but not the fun I want to have today.

Yeah, Seagulls were famous in their day. Incredibly small and light. But, like all two-stroke engines, dirty little critters. Given the availability of under-30lb 4-stroke motors and even lighter electrics, I think two-stroke motors are better as memories than as retrofits.